Much thanks to all for coming out and hope all had as much fun as I did!
N4th4n, thanks for bringing the tire and forgot to mention HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Upchuck, thanks for leading the A Group charge!
It was a complete drag with last minute mechanicals prior to the ride with broken spokes, BB issues, out of stock issues with shops, etc etc ,and when I pulled my bike off the rack in the morning I realized my rear tire was on backwards! I could only laugh, shake my head, and say %^$# it! I'm going as is!
I was a little concerned at first when I only saw a couple folks in the main parking lot. Then, slowly but surely, then a wave of cars/trucks came pulling in with bikes attached!
I was wondering how them tandems fit on a rack without swiping cars in the next lane but, I'll be damned, they fit!
Kinda funny, I've seen this a few times on group rides where someone asks "Ok, who's in 'A group'?" Folks look around a little unsure and sizing up the riders next to them. But we took off as a large group, kickin' up dust, and we let the main fire road in determine the groups.
As we passed a hiker, he said (with a smile) "Dang, you guys need a water truck ahead of ya!" as he waved the dust cloud from his face. I couldn't help but hum the chorus from C.W. McCall's theme song from the 1978 classic "Convoy." Don't know it? Rent it tonight! I digress..
After Sycamore Cyn to Ranch Center to Sin Nombre to Two Foxes, we regrouped under the tree and the shenanigans began! This is when I realized that not only was I riding with knuckleheads, but that I was definitely in the right group! Deh deh dehhh!
I lieu of climbing Backbone or Hell Hill, we headed up Wood Cyn to climb Guadalasca. It was my first time (in two years of riding the area...WTH?) taking Guad and wasn't sure what to expect. Shudder's photo captures it perfectly. (great shot Shud!)
It not only
looked like, but also smelled like we were riding through a nursery! Amazing scenery that took my mind off my clicking knees and bottom bracket. A little ways up...the ground began to tremble...birds scattered from the trees...rabbits grabbed their young and took shelter in their burrows...What could it be? A nuclear attack? A hoard of invading enemy tanks? It was Shudder and two others bombing down Guad with grins reminiscent of childhood! Normally, I get jealous when folks go blazing down a trail of which I am climbing. Wasn't the case this time, though. Oddly enough, I was enjoying this climb, the weather, and the scenery. It was kicking me arse but I found myself saying "Thank you sir, may I have another?"
I reached the top of Guad to the glorious (and somewhat sarcastic
) cheer of my fans in B group. JMoe29er suggested, wisely, that we descend the route from which we had just came but curiosity for the current condition of Backbone would prevail. Shoulda went down Guad. It was still fun but the trail has yet to return to it's former glory. Sandy and loose at the top and the flow is much different through the lower sections. One good day of rain would do a world of good.
It's always great to meet some cool new people on these group rides that was certainly the case for this one! Look forward to riding with ya again!
PS- Not pics just yet. I forgot my my pack/camera/helmet in the back of El Immigrante's truck!#-o
Willie currently has 20 stitches where his leg met a flat pedal the other night...
to carpool up to Malibu, what a fun ride it was on that truck, we then took a pit stop at one of the stores close to the trail head as El Immigrante hand some issues with his right contact that was irritating his eye. (all was good after that)
